Leeds United player ratings vs Derby County

Leeds United Midfielder Samu Saiz (21) during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Southend United and Leeds United at Roots Hall, Southend, England on 22 July 2018. Picture by Stephen Wright.

Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa seem to be a match made in heaven so far. An outstanding performance at Derby County has seen the West Yorkshire club thump Frank Lampard in his first home game of the season. From start to finish Leeds were dominant, some half-hearted efforts, mainly at the end of the first-half were about all Derby could muster.

Player Ratings

Baily Peacock-Farrell – 6 – Was at fault for the first goal, should be saving that no matter the movement. It won’t matter because what happened afterwards. Handling was brilliant, I thought his distribution was poor tonight though.

Luke Ayling – 8 – I thought Ayling was brilliant tonight. Constantly speaking to everyone and was always getting the better of his man. Pressed very high and won duals, unlucky not to get his first goal. Another impressive game.

Gaetano Berardi – 8 – Brilliant again from Gaetano Berardi. How does Pontus Jansson get back in the side on this evidence. Literally didn’t put a foot wrong tonight and impressively his passing out from the back looked even better than last week.

Liam Cooper – 8 – In general the defence was brilliant tonight, solid and played out. Got rid when needed and was composed in tonight areas. Derby didn’t have much, the only point I thought he switched off was when Mason Mount ran off the back of him, he got very lucky.

Barry Douglas – 8 – Another outstanding performance. Has added another dimension to the side going forward and is very solid at the back. His set-pieces are a weapon that need to be utilised.

Kalvin Phillips – 8 – To some he may not been as emphatic in the tackle as he was last weekend but for me it wasn’t about that tonight. We played a very expansive game tonight and Phillips was asked to do some serious work, getting across to close players down and shut the angles out. So impressed.

Mateusz Klich – 9 – Another incredible performance from Klich. Dominated the centre of the park, winning tackles, getting on the ball and of course breaking forward. That link between the back and front is so important and he’s hand-made for that role. Glorious finish to open the scoring.

Samu Saiz – 9 – – For me Saiz was the one that Derby couldn’t contain. It’s a pleasure to watch him on nights like this even if he sometimes picks the wrong passes. Work-rate 100 times better than last season. Grafted for the team.

Pablo Hernandez – 8 – Cut a frustrated figure in stages as Saiz wouldn’t give him the ball early but that was another “under the radar” performance. Did little things well, kept the ball and got another two assists. 33 going on 23.

Gjanni Alioksi – 8 – A very good performance, a goal and an assist. We know he can work hard but tonight he showed what he can do in the final third. Looks a new player.

Kemar Roofe – 9 – #T72MOTM – Both goals were top class. The first a hanging header that he planted in the bottom corner and the second one he is capable of, twisting and turning before smashing it into the roof of the net. Use of his body and runs were exceptional.

Subs

Jamie Shackleton – 7 – Worked hard, kept the press up and got on the ball. Did what he was asked in an unfamiliar position.